What Prayer Does for Those Who Trust God

Isaiah 37:14-20 record Hezekiah's prayer for deliverance.  Verses 21-38 record how God answered that prayer.  The section's relevance for the Church is found in the fact that Hezekiah prays in a moment of severe threat from his enemy (cf. 36:4-5, 15-17).  Believers trust God in times of trouble and their faith works itself out in prayers like this one.  Preaching prayers, whether this one or those found in Psalms, present an opportunity for us to evaluate the object of our faith (37:16 and the description of God), to annunciate the temptations we face (37:17-19), and, of course, to articulate our petition for help (37:20).  Finally, when a preaching portion actually shows God answering the prayer, here is an excellent opportunity to bolster our faith.  It's difficult not to be encouraged by the display of God's power to save.  Remember, though, that God's handling of Sennacherib is not the definitive act of deliverance.  That occurred when our Savior on the cross died to deliver us from our sins and from Satan's control.  That's the reason why we can have full confidence that God delivers those who trust Him wholly.